The 2021 Women Leaders In Consulting: Paula Bellostas

She came to consulting after a career as an industrial engineer, experience that helped mold her into the curious and analytical person she is today. But despite her background in a field driven by numbers, her approach to work is anything but impersonal. "Work hard, be kind and good things will happen," she says, explaining her life philosophy.

Paula looks for ways to carry that ethos into her work every day. "Consulting," she says, "isn't just about problem-solving; it's about affecting clients in a positive way. You're doing something good for the client. The human-to-human connection is so important."

Her favorite projects are those in which people are prepared to take risks and trust that you're going to take that big leap side by side, she says. "You come at the problem as a team and then deliver a really good outcome."

Paula is Kearney's global mental health and wellbeing program lead, as well as a mental health advocate who volunteers with Samaritans, and her writing has been featured on Thrive Global and The Huffington Post.

As a partner in both the Health and Digital Transformation practices at Kearney, Paula works with leading global biopharmaceutical companies at the intersection of medicine and technology to improve patient outcomes. Her tenure at Kearney spans 11 years, joining as an associate and now a partner and leader of Kearney's European Health practice.

However, it is her incredible journey to becoming a Kearney partner, a mum and the global lead for mental health within the firm that makes her stand out as an exceptional leader and role model for today's consultants, of all genders.

Six years into her career as a management consultant, Paula was hospitalized with work-induced burnout. Instead of shying away from work-related triggers, she recentred and returned to work with an honest and outspoken approach to balancing both career and life ambitions while protecting and nurturing good mental health.

Paula's influence spans the global Kearney community, but it extends far beyond. She writes extensively on life as a working parent, a woman in the industry, and protecting mental health. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Thrive Global, as well as writing for Kearney and for herself.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

"Recovering from burnout and returning to professional services to go on to becoming a mum, a partner, the regional head of my practice and most importantly the global leader for mental health in our firm. This all seemed impossible when I was having daily seizures at the height of my burnout days and it was unclear if I'd ever work again!"

What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received?

"Careers are like the 'Camino De Santiago', the pilgrimage famous in my native Spain – not a series of 100m sprints. I used to run mine like the latter and have now learned to appreciate that it is like the former, taking in every bit of the journey."

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

"If you look up and don't see a role model, go and become one! Also, make sure you have multiple supporters behind you, spanning the practical through to the emotional. I have had help and support from my mentor of 10 years, a sponsor and at critical points in my life and career also a therapist and a coach. Like raising a child, succeeding in professional services – throwing burnout and a child in the mix – takes a village!"

What does being recognized as a Consulting Woman Leader mean to you?

"I've been working very hard at not needing recognition as that's one of the things that drove me to burn out in the first place! So, I would like to think it's more of a recognition of the fact that thriving sustainably is possible in consulting, that it doesn't have to be all or nothing, that you can be a mum and a successful consultant and not give absolutely everything to the job."